which the devils bodily inhabit. Prussia has many of these devils. Not far from Lucerne, in Switzerland, and on the summit of a high mountain, there is a pond, called Pilate's pond, where the devil resides in a terrible manner. In my own country there is a pond similarly placed. If you throw a stone into it, there is a terrible storm, and the whole country around trembles. It is the prison of many devils. At Sussen, on Good Friday, the devil carried bodily away three men, who had devoted themselves to him." At Luther's table, one day, a story was told of a horseman who was riding with other horsemen, and who, as he pricked the animal he rode with his spurs, cried out, The devil take the hindmost!' Now, he led one horse by the bridle, and this he left; but he never again saw it, for the devil flew away with it. Luther observed, "We must beware of inviting Satan to our table; he is ready enough to come without invitation. The atmosphere around us is filled with devils." "An aged ecclesiastic, while one day occupied in prayer, heard behind him the great enemy, who, in the view of obstructing his devotions, grunted as loud as a whole herd of swine. Without the least fear, the clergyman turned round, and said: Master devil, thou art justly punished! once thou wast a shining angel; now thou art a vile pig!' The grunting immediately ceased, for the devil cannot bear to be despised!!!" Another time, Luther related to us the story of a soldier, who had left some money in the care of his host in Brandebourg. When the money was demanded, the latter denied that any had been left with him. In a transport of fury, the soldier fell on the knave and beat him; but for this he was seized and accused before the authorities of the place, as a violator of the hausfriede, or household peace. While in prison, the devil appeared to him, and said-"To-morrow thou wilt be condemned and executed, unless thou deliver body and soul to me. Do this, and I will save thee!" The soldier refused. The devil proceeded"If thou wilt not, hear, at least, the advice I have to give thee. To-morrow, when thou art before the judges, I shall be near thee, with a blue cap and a white feather on my head; ask the judges to allow me to plead thy cause, and I will save thee." The next day the soldier followed the advice; and as the host persisted in denying all knowledge of the money, the advocate in the blue cap said "Friend, how canst thou perjure thy self in this way? The soldier's money is in thy bed, under the canvas. Go, officer! and you will find that speak the truth." When the host heard this he swore "If I have received the money, may the devil fly away with me!" The officers found it exactly in the place indicated, and brought it before the tribunal. Then the man in the blue cap said I knew very well that I should catch one of the two-either the soldier or the innkeeper!" So he twisted the culprit's neck, and flew away with him. A young good-for-nothing, much addicted to brutality and drinking, was one day fuddling with his comrades in a wine-shop. When the cash was spent, he said that he would find somebody to pay another reckoning, if he sold his soul for it. Soon after a man entered the tavern, began to drink with the rake, and asked him if he was really willing to dispose of his soul. "Yes!" replied the other boldly; and the man paid for him the whole of the day. Towards night, when the fellow was drunk, the unknown addressed the other topers : "Gentlemen, what think you? when any one has bought a horse, do not the saddle and bridle go into the bargain?" They were much alarmed at the question, and for some time hesitated to reply; but being urged to speak, they allowed that the saddle and bridle did belong to the purchaser. Then the devil (for it was he) seized the poor caitiff, and sank with him; and from that day to this, nothing is known of him. At Erfurth there were two scholars, of whom one was madly in love with a young girl. The other, who was a magician, thought his companion was ignorant of the fact, said—" If thou wilt promise me not to kiss her, not to embrace her, I will bring her to thee." Accordingly, she was made to come. The lover, a fine youth, received her with so much affection, and spoke to her so eagerly, that the magician was in great fear lest he should embrace her. At length he could not restrain himself; he did take her in his arms, and she instantly fell dead on the floor. When they saw what had happened, they were mightily afraid; and the scorcerer observed, We must now employ our last resource!" She was carried back to her own house, and made to discharge her domestic duties as usual; but she looked very pale, and never opened her lips. In three days, her parents went to consult some learned divines; and no sooner did these speak to the girl, than she fell to the earth, a stinking corpse. Luther says that the devils in Germany were in the habit of playing the same pranks as the Brownies in Scotland. "Eight years ago," says he, "I myself when at Dessau, touched one of these changelings, which had no parents, but was the devil's brat. It was twelve years old, and was in everything like an ordinary child. It did nothing but eat; it ate as much as four ploughmen or thrashers; and it performed the customary functions. But when any one touched it, it cried out like one possessed; if anything unfortunate happened in the house, it rejoiced and laughed aloud; but if everything went on prosperously, it continually moaned. I said to the Prince of Anhalt, Were I sovereign here, I would throw this little wretch into the Moldau, at any risk.' But the Elector of Saxony and the Prince were not of my opinion. I then advised them to pray in all the churches, that the demon might be removed. They did so during a year, when the child died. When the doctor had related this story, he was asked the reason of his advice in regard to the child and the river. He replied, Because, in my opinion, children of this description are neither more nor less than a mass of flesh without soul. The devil is very capable of such creations."" was Here is another story : "Near Halberstadt, in Saxony, there was a man who had a Kilkroff, which so voracious at the breast, that it could drain its mother and five other women, and it devoured besides everything else offered to it. The man was advised to go on pilgrimage to Holckelstadt, to devote his child to the Virgin Mary, and to rock it there. Away he went with the child in a pannier; but in passing over a bridge, another devil in the river cried out, "Kilkroff! Kilkroff!" The child in the pannier, which had hitherto not uttered a sound, replied, "Oh! oh! oh!" The river. demon asked, 'Where art thou going?' The child answered, To Holckelstadt, to be rocked at the shrine of our blessed Mother!' The peasant, in great fear, threw the basket and the child into the river; and the two demons flew away, crying, 'Oh! oh! oh!'"* * See the Notes to Sir W. Scott's Lay of the Last Minstrel.' One more story, and we have done with these absurdly superstitious tracts. During the night, when I happen to lie awake, the devil comes, disputes, and fills me with strange thoughts, until I grow angry, and tell him to This very morning, on my awaking, the devil came and said, Thou art a sinner!' I replied, "Tell me something new, devil! I have known that long! "What hast thou done with the cloisters?" "What is that to thee, devil! enough, after all, are left for thy worship!' Sometimes, when he comes at night to tempt me, I say-Devil, I must sleep; for God has commanded us to labour by day, and sleep by night.' If he calls me a sinner; to spite him, I say to him, Sancte Satan, ora pro me!' and sometimes, Physician, cure thyself!'" ་ NOTES OF A READER. DOCTORS AND PATIENTS. A A clever woman in her chamber with her physician, is like a minister of state. in a representative assembly; when he is sure of his majority, he adroitly humours its fancies; and, while pretending to yield himself to its will, in effect bends it to his previous determination. female patient can make her medical attendant prescribe whatever she pleasesquiet or amusement; retirement in country, or winter in town; Brighton, or horse-exercise-just as her whim or caprice fluctuates, so does the complaisant doctor conform to her fancy. following is an authentic relation of what recently occurred in one of these clinical consultations, and shews pretty clearly that a doctor is very frequently but a mere plaything: "Mrs. sent for Dr. The to cure her of a cold, attended with some symptoms of dyspepsia. He prescribed certain remedies, and on his fourth or fifth visit, said to his patient, on coming into her room : "Well, madam, how do we get on to-day?' "Why,' said the lady, 'I can't exactly say, but you must judge for yourself,' presenting her arm, which as it was a remarkably plump one, the doctor retained for some time while he felt her pulse. "Ah,' said he, with apparent satisfaction, in five or six days I will answer for your thorough establishment in the meantime, go on with my former directions: chicken-broth, light nourishment, keep yourself warm, and don't go out of doors.' "What did you say, doctor, not go out? Why, to tell you the truth, I calculated upon going to a concert this evening where my nieces are to sing; in fact, I have promised. Of course, I shall wrap myself up well, and I shall have only one step to take from my car. riage to the concert-room.' "Well, well, if you have promised, you may just drop in but you must not stay. "What may I not stop, when I am there, to see the dancing begin?' "Why, yes-you may remain five minutes but you must not be imprudent.' "Oh! I'll take great care of myself -I shan't waltz, and will not join a gallo pade-I will only just walk through one or two contre-dances.' "Well, I have no objection to that; but I expressly prohibit supper.' "Oh, doctor, what difference does it make whether I eat my wing of a chicken here or there?' "There is something in that, certainly; but, at all events, no champagne!' "O! now, my dear Doctor, but one glass of champagne, or a wine-glass of punch to soften my cough!' "Well, well, you may try it; but don't stop too late.' "The lady danced all night, supped heartily, swallowed three glasses of champagne, and drove home at four o'clock in the morning. Next day, she gave the doctor a faithful account of her exploit ; he thought it an excellent joke, and they had a hearty laugh together at this novel treatment for a cold." HE IS SO AMIABLE. Contentment is the talisman of happiness, the spell which works more wonders than all the enchantment of all the magicians of Arabian fiction. So happy an illustration of the effects of this virtue is afforded in the following little narrative, and the touching reflections arising out of it, that we cannot refrain from incorporating it into our columns. "A beautiful girl, gay, lively, and agreable, was wedded to a man of a clumsy figure, coarse features, and a stupid looking physiognomy. A kind friend said to her one day : "My dear Julia, how came you to marry that man?' "The question is a natural one. My husband, I confess, is not graceful in his appearance, nor attractive in his conversation. But he is so amiable. And goodness, although less fascinating than beauty or wit, will please equally at least, and is certainly more durable. We often see objects, which appear repulsive at first, but if we see them every day we become accustomed to them, and at length not only view them without aversion, but with feelings of attachment. The impression which goodness makes on the heart is gradual; but it remains for ever. Listen, and I will tell you how I came to marry my husband. "I was quite young when he was introduced for the first time into the house of my parents. He was awkward in his manner, uncouth in his appearance, and my companions used often to ridicule him, and I confess that I was frequently tempted to join them, but was restrained by my mother, who used to say to me in a low voice, 'He is so amiable,' and then it occurred to me, that he was always kind and obliging; and whenever our villagers assembled together at our fêtes and dances, he was always at the disposal of the mistress of the house, and was profuse in his attentions to those whose age or ugliness caused them to be neglected. Ŏthers laughed at his singularity in this respect, but I whispered to myself, 'He is so amiable.' "One morning my mother called me to her boudoir, and told me that the young man who is now my husband, had made application for my hand. I was not surprised at this, for I already suspected that he regarded me with an eye of affection. I was now placed in a dilemma, and hardly knew how to act. When I recollected his ill-favoured look and his awkwardness, I was on the point of saying, 'I will not wed him,' and I blushed for him, which is a strong proof that I even then felt interested in him; but when I recalled the many excellent traits in his character, and dwelt on his benevolent and good actions, I dismissed the idea of banishing him from my presence. I could not resolve to afflict him, and I whispered to myself, He is sa amiable.' "He continued to visit me, encouraged by my parents, and cheered by my smiles. My other admirers, one by one, left me, but I did not regret their absence. I repeated the expression, 'he is so amiable,' so often, that it seemed to me to carry the same meaning as, he is so handsome.' I loved him, and took him as my husband. Since then I have not only been resigned to my fate, but happy. My husband loves me devotedly, and how can I help loving him? RESPECTABILITY. RESPECTABILITY! Mysterious word! indefinite term! phantom! Who will presume to say authoritatively what thou art? What metaphysician or mental chemist will analyge thee, and expound to the world the curious substance or essence of which thou art composed? Where is the lexicographer gifted with powers, subtle and fine as the spider's thread, to define thee accurately, satisfactorily, so that the general voice shall cry aloud, "that is the meaning of the word;" and every individual whisper to his neighbour," that was my meaning." As for the explanations of the existing race of dictionaries, they are mere evasions of the question. About the boldest and most decided opinion concerning this particle of the English language that I am acquainted with, was that given by a witness in a swindling transaction, who, on being asked by the judge his reason for affirming that the defendant was a respectable man; replied, "that he kept a gig." There is something in the unhesitating and undoubting confidence of this answer, that carries weight with it. The witness was well acquainted with the defendant's moral obliquities; he knew that he had long been worthy the attention of the laws of his country; he knew, moreover, that he was only enabled to maintain this two-wheeled vehicle by a constant infringement of the right of meum and tuum; he knew, in short, that he was rich by good management and unhanged by good luck; but still, there was no getting over the simple fact he kept his gig; and so long as he did keep it, nothing could impugn his respectability in the mind of the witness. Yet, before we unthinkingly laugh at this man's tenacious adherence to his beau ideal of respectability, let us cautiously examine our own thoughts on the subject. A gig is respectable. A curricle may be dashing - -a phaeton stylish-a carriage gentle, lofty, magnificent but a gig is respectable par excellence. Yet, of itself, and independent of other circumstances, it does not wholly and safely constitute respectability, and here lies the difficulty. It is not all in all-" there's the rub," or the question might be settled. Besides, its condition must be looked to. It may be badly lined, and worse painted; the shafts and wheels may be in ill condition; it may, in fact, have a disreputable appearance rather than otherwise; it may be second-handed. All these apparently trivial, but in reality essential circum stances, are to be taken into account before we can definitely pronounce upon the respectability of the possessor; and it behoves us to be cautious; for, to a nice mind, ardently engaged in the pursuit of truth, a hair-breadth distinction is found, at times, more obstinately irreconcileable than a more manifest discrepancy. Respectability! all-pervading power! like light and life, thou art everywhere; or, at the least, wherever civilization is, there art thou to be found, despotically ruling the minds of men of every grade and station, from the doctor to the dustman-from the lawyer to the labourer. But of all the devotees, none, I think, worship thee with the fervour-the intenseness, of shopkeepers and small tradesmen. Thou art their idol-their oracle! They consult thee in all they do or say, or in whatever in any shape appertains to them. Thou art ever uppermost in their thoughts, and there is no sacrifice too great for them to makeno deprivation too severe for them to endure, rather than to be banished either in reality, or in the opinion of the world, from thy presence. But though this race of people are more peculiarly thine own, millions of others put in their claim of kindred to thee on some trivial pretext or other. Thou hast more distant relations than a Scotchman likely to do well in the world, even though his name be Campbell. And it is curious to mark the different ways in which thy multitudinous kith and kin infer a connexion. Some are respectable by descent, some by dress, some by the situation of the dwellings in which they have temporarily located themselves. in very low circumstances, if he has no better claim, is consanguineous on the strength of a hat with a brim, or a stocking without a hole-"two precious items in a poor man's eye;" the spruce mechanic's dapper coat, or his wife's silk gown, leave no doubt, in his own eyes at least, how closely he is allied; the small tradesman's snug house, tiny flowerspot before the door, and neat green railings, distinctly mark him for thine own; while the more aristocratical storekeeper in the wholesale or large retail way, getting above business, successful ship-brokers, speculators, haberdashers, and other anomalies, forgetful of all thou hast done for them, look above thee, and creep into the back ranks of gentility and fashion, where they remain neither fish nor flesh - genteel in their own estimation, simply respectable in that of their neighbour's. A man Some men neglect their personal appearance, and concentrate their claims to respectability in a brass knocker, a plate with their name engraved thereon, venetian blinds, or any other pretty additament to their domiciles; others are respectable by virtue of their connexions; others by going to the private boxes at the theatre; others by a pew next the parson at church; others by the people they visit; others by having every thing in season. Yet, difficult as it is for the mind of man to comprehend all these things, and to decide properly and justly, the women, taking advantage of their superior powers of penetration, and delicacy of discrimination, divide and subdivide respectability as easily as quicksilver. They have their "respectable sort of people-very respectable-highly respectable-extremely respectable most respectable," which makes the thing about as difficult to understand or explain, as political economy or electro-magnetism. Indeed, there are some men, otherwise not deficient in intellect, who never have even a glimmer. ing of light upon the subject. Think of the more than Egyptian darkness of Robert Burns, for instance-mark his heterodoxies, "What though on hamely fare we dine, No, sir, he is not a man; he is only a poor devil. Or, grant that he is so by courtesy, what is a man in these times, unless he is respectable according to some of the floating laws and regulations on the subject? "Oh, better had he ne'er been born!" for, as the Persian sage justly remarketh-" he shall drink of the waters of bitterness all the days of his life, and his bread shall be as ashes in his mouth; his face shall be near unto the earth; and he shall be so small that his friends will look over his head and see him not, even though the day be light-and his shadow shall be less than the shadow of a dog, or of a Russian, whom God destroy! Respectability is in and over all things. There are respectable substances to eat, and drink, and wear; there are respectable towns and streets and situationsfor men and houses. There is a shade of respectability in colours. A black coat is more respectable than a brown onea white handkerchief decidedly more so than a red one. Why this is we cannot tell, we only know that it is so. One of the immutable laws of nature is, that doctors and lawyers shall wear black coats and white handkerchiefs, and perhaps to this, in a large degree, is owing the respectability which is so generally conceded to those bodies. I speak not here of lawyerlings and doctorlings-boys with scarcely a tinge of their profession, who are injudiciously abandoned in those matters to their own weak judgments and perverted tastes, and who consequently go abroad in josephean garments "of many colours," but of fullgrown responsible men of law and physic. Who would trust a life or a lawsuit of any importance to one of either profession in a pea-green coat, fancy waistcoat, and coloured handkerchief? the idea is preposterous! There is more in those black and white habiliments than the unthinking dream of. WILLIAM Cox. I Ar the latter end of October last year, I was returning on foot from Orleans to the Château de Bardy. In front of me, and along the same road, a regiment of German guards was under march. had quickened my pace in order to hear its military music, of which I am passionately fond; but the band did not play: a few beats of the drum only marked at distant intervals, the measured and uniform tread of the soldiers. After half an hour's march, I saw the regiment enter upon a little plain surrounded by a wood of firs. I inquired of a captain with whom I was acquainted, whether the regiment was going through its exercise. "No," replied he, "we are about to try, and probably shoot, a soldier of my company, for having robbed the burgeois with whom he lodged." I inquired, "are you going to try, condemn, and execute him at the same moment? |
